(PORTLAND/LOS ANGELES/NYC) – Award-winning post-production collective Arts Academy today announces it has promoted Charlee Mackey to its editorial roster, recognizing a creative talent whose work has helped shape campaigns for some of the world’s most recognizable brands while quietly building a reputation for emotionally resonant storytelling across sports, documentary and commercial work.
A longtime Arts Academy collaborator, Mackey joins the roster following nearly four years with the company and a growing body of work for brands and clients including Visa, Bank of America, Snapchat, Buick, Eli Lilly, Honda, Ford, McDonald’s, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, Pella and El Camino Health.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Mackey studied film and post-production in both the United States and England before building a career that spans everything from athlete-focused storytelling and healthcare campaigns to nationally broadcast brand work.
Her editorial credits have placed her at the center of some of advertising’s biggest cultural moments and campaigns, from Visa’s Olympic campaign “Prodigies” for Wieden+Kennedy and Bank of America’s Masters Tournament campaigns “Bubba” and “Out Here” for Leo, to Snapchat’s Super Bowl LVIII spot “Love” and Buick’s Women’s March Madness campaign “See Greatness.”
Along the way, Mackey has earned the trust of filmmakers known for distinctive storytelling, collaborating with directors Lance Acord, John Hillcoat, David Gordon Green, Charlie Di Placido, The Taos Brothers, and Arts Academy’s own Tommy Harden, helping bring stories to life across sports, entertainment, healthcare and consumer brands.
What distinguishes Mackey’s work is her instinct for finding the emotional center of a story, whether she’s cutting a high-energy sports campaign, a character-driven documentary or a major brand film. A former rugby player herself, she is particularly drawn to stories centered on athletes, women and underrepresented voices, bringing an authenticity and emotional perspective that has become a defining characteristic of her work.
That perspective is perhaps best reflected in two campaigns that have become touchstones in her growing body of work.
Buick’s Women’s March Madness campaign “See Greatness” marked Mackey’s first 60-second commercial and her first opportunity to help shape a story centered on women’s athletics. The project reinforced her belief that sports storytelling is often at its most powerful when it reveals something deeply human beneath the competition.
A similar thread runs through Visa’s Olympics campaign “Prodigies” for Wieden+Kennedy. Initially brought on to support the project, Mackey ultimately edited the campaign’s 20-second spot, helping tell the story of athletes whose pursuit of excellence spanned years of discipline, sacrifice and dedication. The campaign’s focus on mastery and perseverance resonated personally, reflecting many of the same qualities that have shaped her own creative journey.
“I’m drawn to candid human interaction and genuine emotion,” says Mackey. “Whether I’m cutting a documentary, a sports campaign or a commercial, I’m always looking for the moments that make people feel something. If the work gives someone goosebumps, makes them tear up, or simply makes them smile, then I’ve done my job.”
The roster promotion marks Mackey’s first official representation as an editor and reflects Arts Academy’s continued commitment to developing talent from within.
Having worked alongside Mackey for nearly four years, Arts Academy co-founders Tommy Harden and Peter Wiedensmith have seen firsthand the evolution of her craft. For Harden, her roster promotion is a natural progression: “Charlee has so many talents, it’s hard to even know where to begin to describe them. She edits with a razor-sharp intuition that’s deeply connected to a well of emotional intelligence. She’s brilliant and kind, and we all feel lucky to get to work with her.”
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of Arts Academy,” adds Mackey. “I’ve worked alongside Peter and Tommy for nearly four years, and they’ve been thoughtful mentors every step of the way. Their trust and support have helped shape the editor I am today. Joining the roster is an honor, and I’m excited for what’s ahead.”
